Item processing system and method which track label usage

ABSTRACT

An item processing system and method which track label usage for purposes including cost savings. The item processing system includes a barcode reader, a radio frequency label interrogator, and a computer which obtains first identification information from the barcode reader and second identification information from the radio frequency label interrogator, which associates receipt of the first identification information with an item if the item includes a barcode label, and which associates receipt of the second identification information with the item if the item includes a radio frequency label.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to checkout systems in supermarketsand other retail establishments, and more specifically to an itemprocessing system and method which track label usage.

[0002] Checkout systems typically include barcode readers. Today, nearlyall products are labelled with barcodes, either by the manufacturers orthe retailers of such products.

[0003] Barcode readers come in various types for various purposes. Themost common scanners are optical barcode readers which include lasersand mirrors for generating a scan pattern. Some are mounted in checkoutcounters, while others are portable and hand-held. An example barcodereader is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,588 assigned to the assigneeof the present invention. This patent is hereby incorporated byreference.

[0004] Some items would not be identifiable and recordable by a barcodereader, if they were labelled with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)labels rather than barcode labels. RFID technology provides analternative to bar code reader technology for distinguishing andrecording items for purchase. Some of the uses of RFID technology aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,394 assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention. This patent is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0005] It would be desirable to track items which don't have RFID labelsin order to influence manufacturers to use RFID labels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, an item processingsystem and method which track label usage is provided.

[0007] The item processing system includes a barcode reader, a radiofrequency label interrogator, and a computer which obtains firstidentification information from the barcode reader and secondidentification information from the radio frequency label interrogator,which associates receipt of the first identification information with anitem if the item includes a barcode label, and which associates receiptof the second identification information with the item if the itemincludes a radio frequency label.

[0008] It is accordingly an object of the present invention to providean item processing system and method which track label usage.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a systemand method of collecting data on the usage of barcode labels and RFIDlabels by manufacturers.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a systemand method of RFID usage data using an item checkout apparatus whichreads both barcode labels and RFID labels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art to which this inventionrelates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments andthe appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a transaction system with RFIDcapability; and

[0013]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of thecheckout apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, transaction system 10 primarily includescheckout counter 12 and transaction server 16.

[0015] Checkout counter 12 includes terminal 18, input device 20,display 22, printer 24, card reader 26, RFID label reader 32, andbarcode reader 36.

[0016] Terminal 18 controls operation of checkout counter 12 andexecutes transaction software 46. Terminal 18 obtains itemidentification information from item checkout apparatus 30 and priceinformation from transaction server 16.

[0017] Input device 20 records operator selections. Input device 20 maybe a touch screen or keyboard.

[0018] Display 22 displays program instructions to assist the operatorthrough a transaction. Display 22 may be a liquid crystal display andmay be combined with input device 20 as a touch screen.

[0019] Printer 24 prints transaction information on receipt paper.

[0020] Card reader 26 reads information from customer payment andidentification cards. Card reader 26 may include a magnetic stripereader or smart card reader or combination of both.

[0021] RFID label reader 32 reads item identification information storedin RFID label 14.

[0022] Barcode reader 36 reads barcode label 28.

[0023] Scale 34 provides weight information for produce items and otherrandom weight or bulk items. Scale 34 may be combined with barcodereader 36.

[0024] In one embodiment, RFIDS label reader 32 and barcode reader 36are separate devices, individually used by an operator. In thisembodiment, terminal 18 executes tracking software 48, which recordsitem identification numbers of items labelled with RFID labels 14 anditem identification numbers of items labelled with barcodes 28. Trackingsoftware 48 maintains tracking data file 50.

[0025] In another embodiment, RFIDS label reader 32 and barcode reader36 are integrated into an item checkout apparatus 30. Item checkoutapparatus 30 includes control circuitry 60.

[0026] Control circuitry 60 controls operation of item checkoutapparatus 30. Control circuitry 60 obtains item identificationinformation from RFID label 14 and barcode label 28. Control circuitry60 may decode barcode label 28 if barcode reader 36 does not include itsown decoding circuitry. Control circuitry 60 additionally executestracking software 48.

[0027] RFID label 14 is an identification label. RFID label 14 may varyin size, depending upon product size, and may be visible or hidden whenattached to a product. RFID label 14 may be removably or permanentlyattached to the product.

[0028] In one embodiment, RFID label 14 includes label communicator 38,RFID memory, and battery 42. Label communicator 38 sends itemidentification information stored in RFID memory 40 to label reader 32.Label communicator 38 may include an RF transceiver.

[0029] Memory 40 stores item identification information and may includea read-only memory (ROM) for one-time use, or a programmable ROM (EPROM)for repeated use.

[0030] Battery 42 provides power to label communicator 38.

[0031] In another embodiment, RFID label 14 may be a passive label.Passive RFID labels use very little energy and may only include labelcommunicator 38. Power may be derived from radio waves.

[0032] Label communicator 38 may include a reflective antenna which hasa frequency which is unique among RFID labels 14. Label communicator 38communicates RFID label identification information which must becross-referenced to obtain item identification information from a table.Label communicator 38 may include a number of antennas, such asconductive ink antennas.

[0033] Transaction server 16 receives item identification informationfrom terminal 18 and returns price information from price look-up datafile 44.

[0034] Transaction server 16 additionally executes reporting software54, which obtains tracking data from tracking data files 50 andcorresponding manufacturer information from PLU data file 44, or anotherfiled cross-referenced item identification information, and generatesreports identifying manufacturers and the types of labelling they use.

[0035] With this information, retailers and equipment manufacturers mayapproach product manufacturers with concerns about labelling practices.Retailers may reduce labor costs by managing time spent by workersreading barcode labels 28 versus time spent by equipment reading RFIDlabels 14. Retailer insurance costs covering hand and wrist injuries maygo down if reading of barcode labels 28 is discouraged in favor ofreading RFID labels 14.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 2, the operation of system 10 isillustrated in detail beginning with START 60.

[0037] In step 62, tracking software 48 waits for barcode informationfrom barcode reader 36 and RFID label information from RFID reader 32.

[0038] In step 64, tracking software 48 logs item identificationinformation derived by barcode reader 36 and derived from RFID labelinformation from RFID reader 32 in tracking data file 50.

[0039] In step 66, reporting software 54 obtains the trackinginformation, including the item identification information, fromtracking data file 50.

[0040] In step 68, reporting software 54 obtains the manufacturerinformation from PLU data file 44.

[0041] In step 70, reporting software 54 provides a report identifyingmanufacturers and the types of labelling they use on items they sell.

[0042] Operation returns to step 62 to await another signal.

[0043] Although the present invention has been described with particularreference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations andmodifications of the present invention can be effected within the spiritand scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. An item processing system comprising: a barcode reader; aradio frequency label interrogator coupled to the barcode reader; and acomputer which obtains first identification information from the barcodereader and second identification information from the radio frequencylabel interrogator, which associates receipt of the first identificationinformation with an item if the item includes a barcode label, and whichassociates receipt of the second identification information with theitem if the item includes a radio frequency label.
 2. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the computer also obtains manufacturerinformation associated with the item to identify a manufacturer who usedthe barcode label.
 3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein thecomputer also obtains manufacturer information associated with the itemto identify a manufacturer who used the radio frequency label.
 4. Anitem processing method comprising the steps of: activating an itemprocessing device including a barcode reader to obtain firstidentification information from an item and a radio frequency labelinterrogator to obtain second identification information from the item;if the item has a barcode label, obtaining the first identificationinformation by the barcode reader and associating receipt of the firstidentification information with the item; and if the item has a radiofrequency product label, obtaining the second identification informationby the radio frequency label interrogator and associating receipt of thesecond identification information with the item.
 5. The method asrecited in claim 4, further comprising the step of: if the item has abarcode label, obtaining manufacturer information associated with theitem to identify a manufacturer who used the barcode label.
 6. Themethod as recited in claim 4, further comprising the step of: if theitem has a radio frequency label, obtaining manufacturer informationassociated with the item to identify a manufacturer who used the radiofrequency label.